One Hint: If you know a function in Mathematica like "ToString", you mentioned in your email, look in the help system in the section "see also", there you find ToExpression["1+1"].

Kind regards

Peter

Am 11.06.2011 09:59, schrieb Ted Sariyski:> Hi,> Is there a built-in function which returns the numeric value of a string> (like ToString but inverse). Currently I use mine function toNumber:>> ch = StringToStream[timeStr];> timeNum = Read[ch, Number];> Close[ch];>> but I suspect there is easier way.> Thanks in advance,> --Ted>